Man's disappearance still a riddle

Published 11:29 pm, Friday, August 23, 2013

Newtown resident Robert Hoagland has been missing since July 28, 2013.

Newtown resident Robert Hoagland has been missing since July 28, 2013.

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Man's disappearance still a riddle

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NEWTOWN -- With a local man now missing almost a month, family and friends are fearing for his safety.

It just makes no sense to them why 50-year-old Robert Hoagland would leave home July 29 without even taking his wallet or extra clothes. Or a car.

Police Sgt. David Kullgren said Friday Hoagland's disappearnace is still being treated as a missing person case. He said it has not been classified as a criminal matter, but is still an active investigation.

"All I can say is that all leads are being investigated. We are seeking resources of other agencies to ensure all avenues are addressed and all leads explored,'' Kullgren said.

One of those threads led to Bridgeport.

Newtown police have reached out to the Bridgeport police as they seek information, Bridgeport police spokesman William Kaempffer confirmed Friday.

On the day of Hoagland's disappearance, Bridgeport police arrested his 23-year-old son, Max, on one count of third-degree criminal trespassing, state judicial records indicate.

Max Hoagland was the last to see his father in their Glen Road home, his mother, Lori Hoagland, said earlier this week.

Kaempffer said at about 9:05 p.m. on July 29, patrol officers noticed a red Volkswagen Golf parked at 136 Washington Terrace, an area with posted "no trespassing" signs and known for drug and prostitution activity.

When officers asked the man behind the wheel what he was doing there, Max Hoagland told them he came to buy drugs and that he had permission to use the car, Kaempffer said.

Officers then contacted his mother, the car's owner, and were told he did not have permission to use the car.

He was charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing and held on $2,500 bond.

On Aug. 15, he plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge and was released, according to court records.

About the time Robert Hoagland disappeared, Lori Hoagland was scheduled to return from a 17-day trip abroad in Turkey.